Engage Pakatan’s Indian reps, Waytha told

The movement is also advised to stop shooting at everyone, and always finding fault and name calling Pakatan Indian representatives.

KUALA LUMPUR: P Waythamoorthy-led Hindraf Makkal Sakti must engage Pakatan Rakyat, especially its Indian leaders, to strengthen its struggle for the ethnic Indian community in the country.

Or else the civil rights movement would slowly but surely become irrelevant in rapidly transforming nation’s political landscape, cautioned DAP Senator S Ramakrishnan.

He hoped that Waythamoorthy, who had just returned from London, would re-strategise the movement into a vibrant and dynamic outfit to play a bigger and pivotal national role.

He said Hindraf must transform from merely being a street protest group to a civil society movement that can lead the Indian community in tandem with national political growth.

He said Hindraf must first stop shooting at everyone, and always finding fault and name calling Pakatan Indian representatives.

While one can give constructive criticisms, he said one must also be able to engage in consultative dialogues to resolve issues and deliver.

“If Hindraf wants to stay relevant in long run, it got to make friends not enemies.

“It must engage Pakatan, especially Indian reps, to strengthen and enhance for the betterment of the community,” Ramakrishnan told FMT

The Senator said Hindraf should always look at the larger picture and take up bigger issues of national interests.

He said Hindraf should fight against corruption and back the struggle for free and fair elections as these issues also affected ethnic Indians.

By taking up bigger national issues, he said Hindraf can draw support of other communities to its own struggle for Indians.

He said other communities would not be so enthusiastic if Hindraf just fought for ethnic Indian cause.

“We can’t demand and deliver something for Indians without support of other communities,” reminded Ramakrishnan.

After playing a crucial role in the last general election, he said Hindraf had has gone backwards in its struggle and popularity due to poor leadership and tactical blunders.

He said Waythamoorthy’s timely return home was a major booster to the organisation.

He said the Hindraf chairman faced a huge task to refresh, revive and revitalise the movement into a force to be reckoned with.

“I am sure Waythamoorthy with his vast experience and knowledge having travelling to many countries would be matured enough to put Hindraf back on the right track,” said Ramakrishnan.